Satsangs

Satsang is a compound Sanskrit word that means “keeping the company of the Self.” The Self, Awareness, is the true nature of everyone and one keeps company with it by continually meditating on it in many ways. One of the most effective methods involves discussing non-dual teachings with someone who has realized his or her identity as the Self, to get clarity with reference to Self inquiry. The satsangs posted here are the questions of many people around the world who are interested in enlightenment and find that Vedanta is their preferred means of Self knowledge. Since I am a teacher of Vedanta, a time tested means of self inquiry, I am qualified to reply to these questions.~James Swartz

ShiningWorld Reader

Becky: Hi, James. I think mine is a security vasana, not a sex vasana – although one wouldn’t say no to a nice young man!! Ha ha.

I am having a funny time at the moment – funny as in strange! I am most probably not reading enough – although I am constantly reflecting on my self, or I should say the self, but I feel like my progress with Vedanta has stopped or rather I’m not sure where to go with it at the moment. Anyway, Sandi and I were at Gunwharf Quays and then when driving home she intimated that Gunwharf and all the people there didn’t now exist, which I thought was silly! I said if we went back there – they would be there – milling around, buying crap, etc. So is it that only what you are seeing at the present moment exists – where your attention is? Because if that’s the highest teaching, I obviously don’t get it… yet!

I hope you are wonderful, as usual.

~ Love, Becky

James: Hi, Becky. Very nice to hear from you. I think I can clear things up rather quickly. Sandi was speaking from the point of view of the jiva. At the time at which she said it she was experiencing something else – i.e. the drive home with you – so for her there were no people wandering around Gunwharf. But from Isvava’s perspective, which was your point of view, of course there were people wandering around Gunwharf. Had Sandi made the distinction between Isvara’s creation and jiva’s creation, Gunwharf, etc. exists as long as Isvara, the total, exists – which is more or less forever. But it only exists for jiva, the individual, when he or she is experiencing it.

I think that you are right about the security vasana. At some point you will see that the kind of security you are worried about is no security. If you think about it, even when you had money coming in, did you really feel secure? It was probably at the time when you were making money or felt financially secure that you were most interested in sex. Sex, kama, usually follows artha, financial security. If having money made you secure, then why pursue pleasure? The self-ignorance behind the fear of insecurity simply morphs into loneliness and off you go looking for love. If you have money and sex/love, that is not the end of it. The self-ignorance will generate another lack and of you will go to try to satisfy that. It only ends when you attack the root thought: “I am incomplete.”

Anyway, things are fine here. Life is sliding along as if on greased wheels. I look forward to seeing you in September.

~ Much love, James

Contacting Shining World

For years I have happily and diligently responded to communications on the topic of Self realization. Since the publication of my book, “How to Attain Enlightenment”— currently in its third printing —and the success of this website, the volume of emails has increased considerably. Unfortunately, owing to a busy schedule of teaching and writing, I am no longer able to answer all the emails I receive in a timely fashion. However, my wife, who is also a teacher, and several well-qualified teachers we have endorsed are available to answer emails on my behalf. I encourage you to send them your questions.
— James SwartzContact Us